Mobile users unhappy with their current service providers will soon have the option of switching operators without changing numbers, thanks to the government announcing guidelines for the same.

Telecom Minister A Raja on Friday said MNP would first start in the four metros in next two months and subsequently roll out in rest of the country over the next 6-12 months.

As per the guidelines, the whole country will be divided into two MNP zones consisting of 11 service areas with two metros in each zone.

The MNP service provider and the mobile operators would not be allowed to have equity (direct or indirect) stake in each other's operations.

"No single company/legal person/the MNP License applicant or MNP Licensee company either directly or indirectly will have any equity, in any of the telecom service provider (basic service, UAS, Cellular Mobile, NLD or ILD) and vice-versa," Raja said.

Government would distribute the licenses for MNP soon and the eligible applicant should have an experience of operating successfully, number portability solution for a mobile subscriber base of not less than 25 million in one or more countries for at least two years.

According to guidelines, the applicant company shall have a minimum paid up capital of Rs 10 crore on the date of application and a networth of Rs 100 crore.